Terence Blanchard Plays Jazz for Uncertain Times

Terence Blanchard is one of the top trumpeters in jazz, with a sound that ranges from cool to ecstatic. Perhaps best known for his albums on the Columbia and Blue Note labels, Blanchard has also earned acclaim as a film composer. His score for the 9/11-themed drama “25th Hour” (2002), one of several for director Spike Lee, deserved Oscar consideration. Blanchard’s 2017 soundtrack album “The Comedian” was a fine collection of jazz originals in tribute to the classic Blue Note sound. Recently, Blanchard talked with Go! Magazine about his music and career.

Q • How did you decide to go with a live recording?

A • We just felt like some things happen with the band live that we didn’t capture in the studio.

Q • What can people expect to hear in concert?

A • We’ve been playing the music from the album, because we’re trying to create dialogue. You turn on the news, man, and it’s like a bad soap opera. You can not watch it for a month and come back and know exactly what they’re talking about. And in the midst of all of that happening, Puerto Rico’s still suffering, Flint still has bad water, and gun violence is still an issue that hasn’t been resolved or even dealt with.

So I just want to try to continue the conversation. It’s just hard for me to write feel-good music when there’s so much other stuff going on in our country.